Triple Crown earned herself a crack at next month's $2 million Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast after scoring an upset win over boom filly Ambers Waltz at Randwick.There was some drama after the race when stewards quizzed jockey Damien Oliver at length about his tactics aboard the John O'Shea-trained Ambers Waltz, who started the even money favourite in Saturday's TAB Number One Club Hcp (1200m).Oliver eased the filly back to last from her outside draw and she came from a long way back o

Triple Crown earned herself a crack at next month's $2 million Magic Millions Classic on the Gold Coast after scoring an upset win over boom filly Ambers Waltz at Randwick.

There was some drama after the race when stewards quizzed jockey Damien Oliver at length about his tactics aboard the John O'Shea-trained Ambers Waltz, who started the even money favourite in Saturday's TAB Number One Club Hcp (1200m).

Oliver eased the filly back to last from her outside draw and she came from a long way back on the turn to finish a neck second to the Gary Portelli-trained Triple Crown ($5.50) with Ebony Rock ($21) 1-1/4 lengths away third.

O'Shea and Oliver told stewards the plan was to ride the race on instinct.

After being pushed out shortly after the field jumped, Oliver said he opted to go back rather than risk being caught three-deep into the wind.

Stewards accepted Oliver's decision and felt that his mount's waywardness was the determining factor in her defeat.

Oliver told stipes he gave the filly a couple of cracks with the whip near the 200 metres and she resented it, so he rode her hands and heels over the final stages.

"She ran off under the stick, she's never been under that sort of pressure before," Oliver said.

O'Shea was straight to the point when stewards asked him about the favourite's performance.

"If we had have drawn barrier four like we did last start you would have seen her in a more forward position again," O'Shea said.

"If she went straight she would have won and we wouldn't be having this conversation."

Portelli was delighted with the win by Triple Crown, who was having her third start and coming off a third to Magic Millions Classic contender Brightexpectations in the Wyong Slipper (1000m) on December 6.

"I said to the boys she'd have to win today to warrant going there for the Magic Millions, so I'm tipping that's where she's going," Portelli said.

"This horse was at the top of her game today, she worked brilliantly Tuesday and I told the owners if she can't beat these today she will never beat them."

However, the Warwick Farm trainer wasn't getting too carried away and admitted that barrier three and a relatively light weight (53kg) after the two kilo claim of apprentice Nathan Berry proved the difference.

"She (Ambers Waltz) carried four kilos more than us and ran us to a neck, you've got to remember that," Portelli said.

The Magic Millions Classic (1200m) is on January 9.